Networking for Rural Health Initiative Requests Applications
Contact: LeAnne DeFrancesco or Carole Lee, 202-296-1818,
Alpha Center; Web site: www.ac.org
WASHINGTON, June 1 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Alpha Center is currently seeking applications for Networking for Rural Health, a three-year project supported by a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The project intends to strengthen the rural health care infrastructure by fostering the development of rural health networks that seek to improve access to and quality of health care services in rural communities.
"Challenges facing rural health care programs today have never been greater," says Tom Martin, vice president of Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, Wash. "This initiative is timely as health care systems in rural communities are experiencing unprecedented stress and are challenged to recreate themselves in order to survive."
Major goals of the project include:
-- Provide technical assistance to rural providers and network organizers through consultations, workshops, written reports, and Internet resources;
-- Facilitate the development of mentor relationships between the leaders of prototype rural health networks and newly emerging networks; and
-- Conduct national policy conference involving government officials and rural health care leaders to explore the implications of rural health networks for public policy.
Alpha Center is soliciting requests from rural health care networks for one of two kinds of assistance: 1) a site visit to assist the network's leadership in profiling their organization's strengths, weaknesses, and technical assistance needs; or 2) financial support for outside consulting assistance needed to advance the network's financial and/or clinical activities. Networks may apply for either a site visit or a targeted consultation, but not both in the same application cycle. Deadlines for applications are Sept. 15, 1999, and Feb. 15, 2000.
"Developing rural networks has been an activity that has been growing in rural communities across the country in the last couple of years," says Mary Huntley, director of the Office of Community and Rural Health in West Virginia. "This initiative will provide the impetus needed for many communities to get the help they need to further this rural movement."
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Alpha Center, located in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit health policy center dedicated to improving access to affordable, quality health care. With more than 23 years experience, Alpha supports the development of research and its translation into the policy process by providing policy and technical assistance to those making health policy and those administering health programs and benefits.
Rural providers and other interested parties may register for the Networking for Rural Health mailing list and obtain a copy of the Request for Applications at www.ac.org. For more information, e-mail: [email protected], or call Katherine Browne, program associate, at 202-296-1818.
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/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
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